Haiti - Social : Threat of indefinite strike in Haitian public hospitals09/09/2019 09:33:59

Levy Milot Félix, the President of the National Federation of Health Workers (FENATRAS) in Haiti, threatens to launch an indefinite strike in public hospitals, from September 16, faced the non-respect of the commitments of President Moïse, in particular on salary increases, insurance and debit cards, provided for in the initialed agreement, on February 23, 2017 with the union https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20185-haiti-politique-first- victory-of-jovenel-moise.html.

According to the President of FENATRAS, the work stoppage will start on 16 September IF the Government does not respect the terms of the 2017 agreement saying "We have taken several measures and commitments and the authorities we have made several promises that they have never kept [...] It is not normal that we continue to give us a pittance while the cost of living continues to increase https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-28646-haiti-flash-inflation-explodes-and-approaches-20.html "

A strike that could be another blow to the health system, a target of repeated protests in recent years criticizing working conditions such as the strike of May 2018 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-24328 or the unease in private hospitals denounced in February 2019 by Dr. Franck Geneus President of the Association of Private Hospitals of Haiti (AHPH) had expressed his deep concern on behalf of its 28 member hospitals, highlighting that its hospitals begin to face major challenges including : "[...] shortage of electricity, shortage of fuel, lack of oxygen, depletion of stocks of medicines and stop means of transport and means of communication" which have already caused several victims..." https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-26925-haiti-flashcritical-situation-in-hospitals-the-ahph-launches-an-emergency-call.html

In addition, the trade unionist Lévy Milot Félix denounces privileged and discreet agreements, between health officials and some staff members, who would have received salary increases, to the detriment of the demands of the majority.